My experience with the NYS Canal trail is to use a touring bike, or something with even wider tyres. While the packed dirt/crushed gravel sections aren't TOO bad, they leave a lot to be desired. A ride on 21mm tubulars was interesting, to say the least. with skinny tyres, you will actually sink in a little, slowing you considerably.

I am really looking for trails that are not the Rail to Trail type. The Rail to Trail type looks to flat and boring for me. I am looking for the more interesting singletrack type trails. Next week I will be riding the Womble Trail. This will be a 2 day out and back 75 miles. It is located in Arkansas in Ouachita Mountains. I am packing everything that I need on my back. Should be fun.

This is not a trail, but one great, very tuff ride that'll require about a week to do.
Start - Lake Tenaya, Yosemite National Park, head east dropping down Tioga Pass to 395. Head north to these waypoints, the ghost town of Bodie, back roads to Bridgeport. Bridgeport to Highway 108 (Sonorra Pass), drop down 108 to 52.
Drop down 52 to Breadsly Dam, cross dam, stay left and continue 52 now climbing. At top, take fire road 4N07 and crank up to and pass the Pendola Scout Reservation (water). Continue 4N07 to intersection with 2 lefts and 1 right, take the lower left (Ghrol Meadow route) to Holman's Crossing at Skull Creek (water and campgrounds). At Holman turn left, small korall on right is your landmark, 6 percent climb next 5 miles. Next land mark, large korall on right, at the intersection turn right and head up hill for about a mile to 4N13Y. Take this route to a lock gate (Gate 7, Big Trees State Park - Park allows jumping the gate). Short distance ahead another intersection, go left (several sections with pumice, the worst at Gate 9 being a hard dogleg to the right). Water at the bottom (creek near the South Grove trail, park the bike, take a hike to see some big trees). Continue fire road to intersection take the left and drop down to Beaver Creek then a short climb out to the South Grove Parking lot. Follow the asphalt to the North Grove (one way in, one way out), first, 3 miles of twisty screaming downhill, with one very wicked S curve followed by another 3 up, then 2 miles of downhill which will take you to the kiosk. Sign in and camp at Hike and Bike A and B. Take a hot shower (25 cents per 3 minutes), cold water is free.. Going east from the latrine at Hike and Bike A and B for about 50 yards lies the Rivertrail trailhead and Gate 28. Go around the gate, cycle uphill and make a right at the intersection, head downhill to Moran Rd. Turn right on Moran, very short ride to Highway 4, take a left and head into the little town of Aronald where you can call it quits......

Besure you've got maps and a partner, this is one very very remote ride. Make sure that you get any extra supplies that you may need in Bridgeport, because there won't be another until you reach the end of this ride. Also, Pickle Meadow (Sonora Pass can be downright frigid, be prepared)........

1) Isn't there a trail system somewhere around Coeur d'Alene, Idaho? I don't have Idaho on my list of states I've cycled in, despite the fact that it is as close as it is, and it might be nice to do a short tour there before I leave NA.

2) France has a great trail system - the tow paths along the canals in the Alsace-Lorraine area. Those were beautiful!!

I did this one twice last year and if you start at Harrisburg, IL and then take the small spur from Karnak over to the Wetlands Nature Preserve center, you will have closer to 50 miles. It sustained a lot of damage this past spring with all the rains and am not sure if it has been completely repaired.

Using the Hennepin Canal trail, the I & M canal trail and then the Old Plank trail, you can darn near cross the entire state of Illinois at around 225 miles.

Since this seven year old thread has emerged from the archives, let me mention the C & O Canal/Great Allegheny Passage/Steel Valley Trail/Montour Trail/Panhandle Trail network. The C & O runs 184 miles from DC to Cumberland. It connects to the GAP at Cumberland, and runs 135 miles or so to McKeesport, south of Pittsburgh. You can follow the Steel Valley Trail, a road route, a few miles to Clairton, and pick up the Montour Trail, off-road aside from some unfinished parts. The Montour and the Panhandle Trails intersect, and you can either ride to Coreapolis, PA, or Weirton, WV.

I am really looking for trails that are not the Rail to Trail type. The Rail to Trail type looks to flat and boring for me. I am looking for the more interesting singletrack type trails. Next week I will be riding the Womble Trail. This will be a 2 day out and back 75 miles. It is located in Arkansas in Ouachita Mountains. I am packing everything that I need on my back. Should be fun.

One thing's for sure: The Womble Trail couldn't be more opposite of a Rail Trail. Hang on tight when you do that one!......Seriously, it's great. Awesome singletrack. I've done it several times, but never with more than a Camelbak with water, snacks, and flat/repair supplies on my back. Good luck and have fun-

The 2200 km TransAndalus is a fantastic off-road circuit in Andalucia, Spain. We just came back from four weeks of adventurous cycling on it. All the info you need is on the web at www.transandalus.org.
Elaine